I'd say this article is more along the lines "Is money corrupting politics?", especially as the outcomes of research in this context is usually are aimed at pol

I'd say this article is more along the lines "Is money corrupting politics?", especially as the outcomes of research in this context is usually are aimed at policy (or rather, justifying policy to the masses). If you want to tackle the shame that is using science as a populist tool for denialism, that you are allowed to conjure up an expert witness for any contrarian point of view or agenda, then you must tackle this problem head on. Front and center of this is the congressional ban on gun research. Probably the first step would be to change the way we present data and facts to policy-makers in a more sophisticated way, e.g. shorter review periods, or being able to democratically control those who sit on these committees. Or better, have more knowledgeable people there in the first place. Something something, series of tubes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Series_of_tubes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Series_of_tubes).